Spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines



April 23, 1940. SPERRY 2,198,044

SPACEB'AND TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed Nov. 7, 1939 In a wfj

\M INVENTOR ARTHUR'. G. SPERRY ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 23, 1940 STATES SPACEBAND TRANSFER. MECHANISM TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Arthur G. Sperry, Hollis, N. Y., assignor to Intertype Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 7, 1939, Serial No. 303,187

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in typographical machines .of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532, granted September 16, 1890, wherein type bars or slugs are cast from assembled lines of character bearing matrices and expansible spacebands, the characters on the edges of the matrices being presented before a suitable mold into the casting slot of which molten metal is injected-at the rear to produce the slug and the line being subsequently raised to a level where it is pushed endwise into a transfer channel, the matrices passing onto an elevator which carries them upwardly for distribution to their proper places of storage in channeled magazines and the spacebands which remain in the channel being shifted further endwise along supporting rails to thus return them intothe spaceband storage box from which they were drawn.

For shifting the spacebands through the transfer channel there is'usually provided a hook-like transfer pawl pivoted at one end to the upper end of a lever which at the proper time and under'the influence of one of the driving cams of the machine moves the pawl first forwardly and then backwardly over the transfer channel. On its forward stroke short downward projections provided near thepivoted end of the pawl push some of the spacebands leftward along the channel while a hook formed at the free end of the pawl usually drags over the supporting lugs of the spacebands hanging on the side rails of the channel. Such drag results from the fact that the pawl is constantly urged downwardly by a light spring which at the end of the forward stroke is intended to cause the hook to engage behind the lugs of the last spaceband to the left in the channel whereby upon the subsequent backward or return stroke of the pawl the spacebands will be pulled along the rails of the channel until they arrive in the spaceband storage box. Such dragging of the hook on the lugs of the spacebands duringthe forward stroke of the pawl is objectionable because it tends to swing, twist and sometimes dislodge the spacebands which merely hang by gravity on their supporting rails.

While it has already been proposed to elevate the transfer pawl during its forward stroke to thus avoid the objectionable dragging of its hook on the lugs of spacebands, and to provide for its release prior to the return stroke, such proposals have not been entirely satisfactory for various reasons, for example, unreliable action due to-friction, wear and dependence upon gravity; uncertain timing of the release due to cooperation with other moving parts; lack of provision when the pawl is elevated of means for pushing spacebands together as usual on the forward stroke.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved means substantially free from frictional wear for latching the transfer pawl in an elevated position during part of its'forward stroke in opposition to means constantly urging it downwardly, and means for positively effecting release of the pawl and movement thereof into engaging relation with the lugs ofspacebands prior to its backward or return stroke. To this end the invention provides a yieldable latch adapted to retain the pawl in elevated position after itis swung upwardly as usual'by riding 17 over the beveled edge of the second elevator bar plate, anda cam on the pawl adapted to ride on a fixed pin so located as to project into its path of movement near the end of its forward stroke and effect release of the latch by positively forcing the pawl downward into spaceband engaging position as it completes the forward stroke and prior to its return stroke. Further, the invention provides lugs extending downwardly toward the pivoted end of the pawl an extent sufficient to push spacebands leftward as usual during the forward stroke and provides also that the latch member aid in retaining the pawl in spaceband engaging relation during the retur n strokeof the pawl. The construction is such that dependence upon gravity is avoided entirely and the operating parts are sturdy and reliable in action.

In the accompanying drawing, one embodiment of the invention is shown, by way of example, as applied to one form or construction of the transfer meohanism, and obviously many changes and variations may be made in the arrangement and combination of parts and the specific mode of operation thereof in adapting the invention to machines of somewhat different construction. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a partial front elevation of a typographical machine embodying the present invention, the transfer pawl being shown in the position on its forward stroke where it is elevated due to riding over the edge of the usual second elevator bar plate. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View showing the pawl in Fig. 1 latched in elevated position but near the end of its forward stroke.

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but shows the pawl in spaceband engaging position at the completion of its forward stroke.

Fig.4 is a fragmentary plan view of the pawl in the position shown in Fig. 2.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the different figures.

The invention is herein illustrated as applied to a conventional form'of typographical machine wherein A represents the usual vertically movable line transporter or first elevator which, subsequent to the casting operation, raises the line of matrices and spacebands supported in jaws B thereof from casting position to the level shown in Fig. 1. The transfer finger I then moves to the right from its normal position indicated by dot-dash lines to the full line position shown and thus pushes the line out of the jaws B of the transporter into the transfer channel 2. In well known manner, during such endwise movement of the line, the matrices M pass onto a ribbed bar 3 of the second elevator 4 the plate 5 of which at the time of transfer rests on top of the channel 2, and the spacebands S and S are left hanging by their edgewise projecting lugs X on opposed side rails 6 near the top edge of the front and rear walls of the channel 2.

During the aforesaid movement to the right of the transfer finger I, the usual spaceband transfer lever 1 swings to the left under the influence of its driving cam (not shown) from its normal dot-dash line position, Fig. 1, to the full line position shown, the free end of transfer pawl 8 pivoted at 9 to lever 1 riding up over a beveled portion ID in the right hand end of plate 5. Immediately thereafter lever I retreats backwardly an extent sufficient to withdraw the pawl 8 out of the path of the plate 5 as the second elevator rises to elevate the matrices out of the transfer channel. As soon as the matrices are thus elevated the transfer finger I moves further to the right while at the same time a second and further leftward stroke is imparted to lever I.

3 In other words, finger I and pawl 8 on lever 1 move in opposite directions toward one another, finger l pushing the spacebands S hanging in its path toward the right along rails 6 of the transfer channel, and downward projecting lugs H on pawl 8 pushing the spacebands S hanging in its path to the left along the rails 6. Thus, the spacebands are brought together so as to occupy only a limited section of the rails 6, movement of finger l and lever 1 in opposite directions being stopped upon engagement of the stop screw l2 with the enlarged head portion l3 of lever 1 as indicated in Fig. 3.

As ordinarily constructed, pawl 8 is constantly urged downwardly by a spring l4 acting thereon somewhat ahead of its pivot 9 and in the absence of means for retaining the pawl in an elevated position it will be obvious that the usual hook formed on the free end thereof will drag over the lugs of any spacebands it encounters during its forward or leftward stroke. To overcome this objectionable condition the present invention provides means now to be described for latching the pawl 8 in an elevated position in opposition to the action of spring l4 during the second portion of its leftward stroke and also means for effecting release of the latch by positively forcing the pawl downward into spaceband engaging position near the end of such stroke and prior to its return stroke to the right.

As shown, an angle bracket l5 suitably secured to the top of pawl 8 is provided with an angularly offset lip l6. Another bracket l1. suitably secured to the upper end of lever 1 carries at its outer end a latch member l8 pivoted at l9 and i normally held against a shoulder 20 by action of a spring 2| seated at one end in a projection 22 of latch l8 and at the other end in an upstanding arm 23 of bracket IT. The latch I8 is formed with an angular hook surface 24 complementary to the angular lip IS on bracket l5 and with a beveled nose 25 adapted, upon contact with the end of lip l6 as pawl 8 swings upwardly, to swing the latch l8 clockwise against the action of spring 28.

As previously stated and in well known manner, during the first leftward stroke of lever 1, pawl 8 rides over the beveled portion III at the right hand end of the second elevator plate 5, the pawl having a tapered nose 2B engageable with said bevel whereby the pawl is forced to swing clockwise about its pivot 9. Such swinging movement of pawl 8 results in lip l8 passing over the beveled nose 25 of latch l8 and past the hook 24 thereon so that upon the retreating movement of lever l and elevation of plate 5 with elevator 4 out of channel 2, lip I 6 engages hook 24 due to the downward urge of spring M on pawl 8. The pawl is thus latched and retained in elevated position as the lever 1 makes its second and further leftward stroke, spring 2| being somewhat stronger than spring l4. Thus, the free end of pawl 8 is held high enough to avoid drag ing of the tapered nose 26 thereon over the lugs of spacebands S hanging in its path of movement to the left in channel 2. however, extend downwardly an amount sufficient to engage with and push spacebands S forward as usual in spite of the elevated position of the pawl.

According to the invention, means are provided for effecting release of the latch referred to by positively forcing the pawl 8 downwardly into position for engaging with the lugs of the last spaceband at the left in channel 2 prior to the return stroke of lever I to the right. To this end pawl 8 is provided with a cam surface 21 formed on an adjustable block 28, the cam 21 being adapted to engage a fixed pin 29 suitably secured in the usual second elevator guide 38. The inner end of pin 29 projects over the trans fer channel an extent sufficient to encounter the cam surface 21 as the pawl 8 approaches the end of its leftward or forward stroke, it being understood that the second elevator is appropriately recessed so that it clears the projecting portion of the pin. Toward the end of the forward stroke of pawl 8 cam surface 21 contacts with pin 29 as shown in Fig.2 and pawl 8 is then positively forced downwardly during the last portion of its forward stroke, the angular disposition of the lip I8 and hook 24 permitting free breaking of the latched connection between these parts as the pawl moves forward and when the forward stroke is stopped by engagement of screw l2 with head l3 of lever 1 pawl 8 assumes the horizontal unlatched position shown in Fig. 3. This is the position of the pawl just prior to the commencement of its return stroke to the right where it is under the influence of the spring I4. Here the shoulder 3| on the pawl is in position to engage behind the lugs X of the last spaceband S at the left of the group thereof hanging on rails 6. Thus, upon the return stroke of the lever I which immediately follows all of the spacebands will be picked up and moved in well known manner to the right along the rails until they reach the downwardly inclined extension thereof in the storage box 32. During such return stroke of the pawl the expanding action of spring 2| supplements the action of spring H in retaining the pawl in horizontal or spaceband engaging position, it being clear from Fig. 3 that spring 2| keeps the beveled nose 25 of latch member l8 pressed against the end. of lip l6, thus offsetting tendency of the free end of the pawl to jump upwardly as it sometimes does. The provision Lugs H,

of adjustment of the block 28 through the slot and screw connection thereof on pawl 8, see Fig. 4, enables taking up of any lost motion or wear between the active parts, namely, lip l6 and surface 24 of latch l8 so that at all times these parts may be maintained in proper operative relation. While pawl 8 is thus returning the spacebands to their storage box the transfer finger l moves to the left back to its normal position represented by dot-dash lines in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides in connection with the spaceband transfer mechanism, means for releasably latching the transfer pawl with certainty in an elevated position where it clears the lugs of spacebands during its forward stroke, thus avoiding the chance of dislodging them. Moreover, the latching arrangement provided is such that its release into active transfer position is eifected by a positive downward movement of the pawl through direct cooperation of the latter with a fixed member, thus avoiding reliance upon gravity and assuring dependable release and operation of the parts at the proper time. Further, the provision of adjustment between such active parts as are subject to wear enables maintaining accurate and correct operative relation between them and cooperation between the latch members during the return stroke of the pawl aids in preventing the pawl from jumping upwardly out of engagement with the spacebands. Also, the invention provides means such as fixed lugs so disposed on the pawl as to engage a body portion of spacebands in the path of its forward movement while elevated and thus advance such spacebands toward others hanging in the transfer channel, the entire group of spacebands thus being brought together on a limited section of the supporting rails prior to being picked up by the pawl on its return stroke, such positioning of the spacebands being desirable, as well known, in order to avoid such excessive swinging thereof as would occur if they were left widely separated along the channel and picked up successively as the pawl moved backwardly.

I claim:

1. In spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines, the combination of a transfer channel in which the spacebands hang by their supporting lugs, a pivoted transfer pawl movable forwardly and backwardly over the channel, means operative to releasably retain the pawl in elevated position clear of the lugs of the spacebands during its forward stroke thereover, means on the pawl engageable with the body of the spacebands to push the latter along the channel as the pawl moves forwardly and a fixed member disposed in the path of the pawl and engageable directly therewith toward the end of its forward movement to positively move the pawl from elevated position into position for engagement with the lugs of the spacebands during its return stroke.

2. In spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines, the combination of a transfer channel in which the spacebands hang by their supporting lugs, a pivoted transfer pawlmovable forwardly and backwardly over the channel and having means constantly acting to move it into engaging relation with the lugs of the spacebands, a yieldable latch member. and

means on the pawl cooperative therewith for retaining the pawl in elevated position clear of the lugs of spacebands during the portion of its forward stroke over the spacebands, a cam on the pawl, and a fixed member adapted to cooperate with said cam during the latter part of the forward stroke of said pawl to thereby break its connection with the latch member by positively moving the pawl downward and into position for engagement with the lugs of the spacebands, said cam being adjustable to vary the point in the forward stroke of the pawl at which it cooperates with the fixed member.

3. In spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines, the combination of a transfer channel in which the spacebands hang by their supporting lugs, a pivoted transfer pawl movable forwardly and backwardly over the channel and having means constantly acting to move it into engaging'relation with the lugs of the spacebands, yieldable latch means operative in opposition to said constantly acting means to retain the pawl in elevated position clear of the lugs of the spacebands during its forward strike thereover, a cam on said pawl, and a relatively fixed pin located in the path of the cam and adapted to contact therewith during the latter part of the forward stroke of the pawl to thereby effect release of said latch means and movement of the pawl by said constantly acting means into engaging relation with the lugs of the spacebands prior to its backward stroke.

4. In spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines, the combination of a transfer channel in which the spacebands hang by their supporting lugs, a pivoted transfer pawl movable forwardly and backwardly over the channel and having means constantly acting to move it into engaging relation with the lugs of the spacebands, latch members cooperative in engaged position to releasably retain the pawl elevated and out of contact with the lugs of the spacebands during its forward stroke thereover,

a cam on the pawl, and a fixed member adapted to contact with said cam and move the pawl downward about its pivot toward the end of the forward stroke of the pawl to thereby effect disengagement of the, latch members, said latch members being cooperative in their relative positions when released to retain the pawl downward in position for engaging the lugs of the spacebands.

5. In spaceband transfer mechanism for typographical machines, the combination of a transfer channel in which the spacebands hang by their supporting lugs, a pivoted transfer pawl movable forwardly and backwardly over the channel and having means constantly acting to move it into engaging relation with the lugs of the spacebands, cooperative latch members engageable during the forward stroke of the pawl to releasably retain the free end thereof in elevated position clear of the lugs of the spacebands, means for disengaging the latch members toward the end of the forward stroke of the pawl, and surfaces on said latch members adapted to cooperate in the disengaged position of said members toretain the pawl in engaging relation with the lugs of the spacebands during the backward stroke of the pawl.

ARTHUR G. SPERRY, 

